Side brush for a suction robot and suction robot with a side brush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic vacuum cleaners with side brushes face challenges in achieving effective surface coverage due to the limited number of bristle tufts, which interferes with fall sensors and results in incomplete dirt pickup, especially in corners, without being able to increase the number of tufts without impairing fall detection or reducing vacuum speed.
Innovation Solution
A side brush design with a combination of long and short bristle tufts distributed regularly over the brush core, where only the long tufts interrupt the fall sensor beam path, allowing for increased surface coverage without compromising fall detection, and the short tufts improve dirt pickup efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of bristle tufts on a side brush is increased to improve surface coverage, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the fall sensor operation is impaired due to frequent beam path interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush features bristle tufts of different lengths (first length and second length) distributed around the brush core. The shorter tufts are positioned to avoid interrupting the fall sensor beam path, while longer tufts provide adequate cleaning coverage. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain both cleaning effectiveness and sensor reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the robotic vacuum cleaner speed is reduced to improve dirt pickup by side brushes, then surface coverage is improved, but cleaning capacity is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The side brush incorporates bristle tufts of varying lengths where shorter tufts are strategically positioned to ensure continuous contact with the surface at higher speeds, while longer tufts handle larger debris. This allows the robot to maintain high speed without compromising dirt pickup effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances cleaning effectiveness by increasing the number of bristle tufts, improving area coverage and dirt collection without reducing vacuum speed or impairing fall sensor functionality, resulting in better cleaning results.
Implementation Method 1
One important principle is the impulse-based solid-state contact between the brush filaments and the surface being cleaned, as well as the dirt particles present there. In this way, the dirt particles are mobilized and transported.
Implementation Method 2
a so-called drop sensor, positioned within the movement of these tufts, is not disturbed, or at least not unnecessarily disturbed. Such a drop sensor is designed to detect steps or other surface depressions, and its operation is based on the reflection of light signals emitted onto the surface, which is detected by a sensor.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a side brush (10) for a robotic vacuum cleaner (20), with a brush core (12) and bristle tufts (14, 16) distributed regularly over a peripheral surface of the brush core (12), the number of bristle tufts (14, 16) being opposite previous side brushes (10) and the side brush (10) comprises a plurality of bristle tufts (14) with a first length and a plurality of further bristle tufts (16) with a length that is shorter than the first length, and a robotic vacuum cleaner (20). at least one such side brush (10).